For Immediate
Release
Release
Contact:
Jennifer
Woodford, Media and Communications Manager, David H. Murdock Research Institute/NC
Research Campus, Jwoodford@dhmri.org
or 704-200-5070
Woodford, Media and Communications Manager, David H. Murdock Research Institute/NC
Research Campus, Jwoodford@dhmri.org
or 704-200-5070
Discovery MS
Drives Advancements in Multiple Sclerosis Research
Drives Advancements in Multiple Sclerosis Research
Discovery MS, a non-profit research initiative housed in the David
H. Murdock Research Institute (DHMRI) on
the NC Research Campus, just north of Charlotte, NC, uses innovative and
collaborative research to lay the foundation for improved multiple sclerosis
diagnosis and treatment.
H. Murdock Research Institute (DHMRI) on
the NC Research Campus, just north of Charlotte, NC, uses innovative and
collaborative research to lay the foundation for improved multiple sclerosis
diagnosis and treatment.
Kannapolis, NC—People with multiple
sclerosis (MS), scientists, and philanthropists support the research work of Discovery
MS, a non-profit research initiative housed in the David H. Murdock Research
Institute (DHMRI) at the NC Research Campus (NCRC). Discovery MS is accessing
private research dollars to unlock scientific discoveries that could help develop
new prognostic and diagnostic tools for MS. Simon Gregory, PhD, Duke University
Professor of Neurology and Director of the Genomics Laboratory at DHMRI is the
Principal Investigator of Discovery MS.
sclerosis (MS), scientists, and philanthropists support the research work of Discovery
MS, a non-profit research initiative housed in the David H. Murdock Research
Institute (DHMRI) at the NC Research Campus (NCRC). Discovery MS is accessing
private research dollars to unlock scientific discoveries that could help develop
new prognostic and diagnostic tools for MS. Simon Gregory, PhD, Duke University
Professor of Neurology and Director of the Genomics Laboratory at DHMRI is the
Principal Investigator of Discovery MS.
Private Funding Model
Jason Cox, who has suffered with MS for 22 years,
understands the debilitating nature of the inflammatory autoimmune disease that
affects the ability of the brain and spinal cord nerve cells to communicate. “We
support the work of Discovery MS because it is exploratory research,” said Cox,
a board member of the J. Cox Family Foundation and a member of the Discovery MS
executive team. “They are looking for the next avenue to cure, diagnose and
prevent this disease. We support Simon’s work and are going to reach out to a
lot of other foundations.”
understands the debilitating nature of the inflammatory autoimmune disease that
affects the ability of the brain and spinal cord nerve cells to communicate. “We
support the work of Discovery MS because it is exploratory research,” said Cox,
a board member of the J. Cox Family Foundation and a member of the Discovery MS
executive team. “They are looking for the next avenue to cure, diagnose and
prevent this disease. We support Simon’s work and are going to reach out to a
lot of other foundations.”
At the launch
of Discovery MS, Cox presented an $8,000 donation from the J. Cox Family
Foundation, the first installment of a five-year pledge to Discovery MS.
of Discovery MS, Cox presented an $8,000 donation from the J. Cox Family
Foundation, the first installment of a five-year pledge to Discovery MS.
Herman Stone, CEO of Stone Theaters, provided the initial funding
for Discovery MS. Stone and Cox share the goal of raising $1 million a year for
the next five years to support Discovery MS and Gregory’s research.
for Discovery MS. Stone and Cox share the goal of raising $1 million a year for
the next five years to support Discovery MS and Gregory’s research.
“Simon continues to exceed my expectations,” Stone commented
at the launch event. “The exciting work that he is doing plus his commitment to
all of the folks who have MS makes this one of the most important projects in
the country.”
at the launch event. “The exciting work that he is doing plus his commitment to
all of the folks who have MS makes this one of the most important projects in
the country.”
Collaborative
Research
Research
With the
fundraising and business expertise of Stone and Cox supporting him, Gregory,
who is recognized for the 2007 discovery of a genetic connection between the ILR7 gene and MS, is focused on several investigations
in collaboration with scientists from North Carolina to Australia. Their work includes:
fundraising and business expertise of Stone and Cox supporting him, Gregory,
who is recognized for the 2007 discovery of a genetic connection between the ILR7 gene and MS, is focused on several investigations
in collaboration with scientists from North Carolina to Australia. Their work includes:
- ·
The development of biomarker signatures to
predict the development of MS. - ·
The study of how genetic and environmental
factors impact the expression of an individual’s MS. - ·
A new model to distinguish Beta-interferon
responders and non-responders. Beta-interferon is a first-line treatment used
to slow the progression of MS. - ·
Longitudinal studies in patients with primary progressive
MS to determine markers and mechanisms of disease progression. - ·
Novel therapies that moderate immune cell
expression, treat inflammation and promote remyelination. - ·
Development of a smartphone app to track
symptoms for presentation to health care providers and to identify signatures
of disease progression.
Discovery MS
evolved from Gregory’s work as the director of DHMRI’s Genomics Laboratory and
as the principal investigator of two MS sub-studies of the Duke University
Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI) MURDOCK Study, a
longitudinal clinical research project that has collected biospecimens and
health information from more than 12,000 participants. Both DHMRI and the
MURDOCK CTSI Study are located on the NCRC in Kannapolis, NC. Discovery MS is located at the DHMRI, and
many of the studies underway use biospecimens donated by the 975 participants
of the MURDOCK MS Study. A MURDOCK sub-study focused on primary progressive MS
is still collecting serial samples.
evolved from Gregory’s work as the director of DHMRI’s Genomics Laboratory and
as the principal investigator of two MS sub-studies of the Duke University
Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI) MURDOCK Study, a
longitudinal clinical research project that has collected biospecimens and
health information from more than 12,000 participants. Both DHMRI and the
MURDOCK CTSI Study are located on the NCRC in Kannapolis, NC. Discovery MS is located at the DHMRI, and
many of the studies underway use biospecimens donated by the 975 participants
of the MURDOCK MS Study. A MURDOCK sub-study focused on primary progressive MS
is still collecting serial samples.
“The
advantage Discovery MS has in conducting MS research is that the DHMRI provides
the infrastructure to carry out the experiments underlying the research avenues
we are pursuing,” Gregory said. “By having a collection of biospecimens
generously donated by people with MS as part of the MURDOCK-MS study, we can
take a multi-dimensional approach. We don’t have to limit ourselves to just
looking at the genetics or the function of gene expression. We can do that in
combination with metabolomics, proteomics and clinical data to enhance
discovery and approach a cure.”
advantage Discovery MS has in conducting MS research is that the DHMRI provides
the infrastructure to carry out the experiments underlying the research avenues
we are pursuing,” Gregory said. “By having a collection of biospecimens
generously donated by people with MS as part of the MURDOCK-MS study, we can
take a multi-dimensional approach. We don’t have to limit ourselves to just
looking at the genetics or the function of gene expression. We can do that in
combination with metabolomics, proteomics and clinical data to enhance
discovery and approach a cure.”
Multiple
sclerosis causes physical and cognitive disability for 2.5 million people
worldwide.
sclerosis causes physical and cognitive disability for 2.5 million people
worldwide.
About Discovery MS
The goal of
Discovery MS is to promote fuller, more active lives for people with MS by
advancing the understanding of the origins of MS and improving diagnosis,
prediction of disease progression, and assessment of treatment efficacy. Learn
more at www.discoveryms.org.
Discovery MS is to promote fuller, more active lives for people with MS by
advancing the understanding of the origins of MS and improving diagnosis,
prediction of disease progression, and assessment of treatment efficacy. Learn
more at www.discoveryms.org.
About Duke University’s MURDOCK MS Study
The MURDOCK Multiple
Sclerosis Study is a cohort of the Duke Clinical & Translational Science
Institute (CTSI) MURDOCK Study (Measurement to Understand the Reclassification of
Disease of Cabarrus/Kannapolis), Duke University’s longitudinal clinical
research initiative working to reclassify health and disease and advance
precision medicine. The MURDOCK MS Study aims to identify biomarkers to better
predict the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis. The MURDOCK Study
began in 2007 at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC, and is
led by L. Kristin Newby, MD, MHS, a professor of medicine in the Division of
Cardiology at Duke University School of Medicine. To learn more, visit www.murdock-study.org.
Sclerosis Study is a cohort of the Duke Clinical & Translational Science
Institute (CTSI) MURDOCK Study (Measurement to Understand the Reclassification of
Disease of Cabarrus/Kannapolis), Duke University’s longitudinal clinical
research initiative working to reclassify health and disease and advance
precision medicine. The MURDOCK MS Study aims to identify biomarkers to better
predict the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis. The MURDOCK Study
began in 2007 at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC, and is
led by L. Kristin Newby, MD, MHS, a professor of medicine in the Division of
Cardiology at Duke University School of Medicine. To learn more, visit www.murdock-study.org.
About the David H. Murdock Research
Institute (DHMRI)
Institute (DHMRI)
The David H. Murdock Research Institute (DHMRI), located on
the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC, collaborates with companies,
institutions and researchers throughout the world to integrate genomics, metabolomics,
proteomics, analytical sciences, cellular sciences and bioinformatics to make
food nutritious, therapies effective, prevention possible and people healthier.
To learn more, visit www.dhmri.org.
the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC, collaborates with companies,
institutions and researchers throughout the world to integrate genomics, metabolomics,
proteomics, analytical sciences, cellular sciences and bioinformatics to make
food nutritious, therapies effective, prevention possible and people healthier.
To learn more, visit www.dhmri.org.
About the NC Research Campus
The North Carolina Research Campus,
located in Kannapolis, NC, near Charlotte, has the mission of improving human
health through nutrition. The scientific community of eight universities, the
David H. Murdock Research Institute, global companies and entrepreneurs focus
research and development on safer, more nutritious crops, healthier foods and
precision nutrition. Learn more at www.ncresearchcampus.net.
located in Kannapolis, NC, near Charlotte, has the mission of improving human
health through nutrition. The scientific community of eight universities, the
David H. Murdock Research Institute, global companies and entrepreneurs focus
research and development on safer, more nutritious crops, healthier foods and
precision nutrition. Learn more at www.ncresearchcampus.net.
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